A New Era

We live in a unique time period: the time shortly before Mashiach will come. We have borne witness to the manifestation of many of the signs foretold by Chazal that would occur prior to Mashiach’s arrival. Two of these signs are the rise of Islamic terrorism around the world, and the abundance of fruit in Israel: a land that lay desolate for nearly 2000 years. These signs serve as more than mere indicators; they also aid us in becoming properly prepared for the redemption.

One of the prerequisites of our redemption is for us to come to the realization that we are helpless without God. Only He can deliver us from our catastrophic predicament. Islamic terrorism has produced several outcomes. First, it has changed the daily routines of most of the civilized world, not to mention the lives and families it has torn apart. Second, it has caused us to come to rely on God, the only One who can truly safeguard us.

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The era of Islamic terrorism began with the attacks on 9/11/2001 in New York City and Washington D.C. Since then thousands have lost their lives and millions of citizens around the globe have been terrorized. Throughout the last eight years, under President Obama’s leadership, we have been able to strengthen our realization that only God can protect us. We have seen world leaders turn a sympathetic shoulder toward Islamic extremists, exercising caution not to insult these barbaric creatures, as the blood drips off their swords. Those in power have stated that issues affecting the environment are the most dangerous threat our planet faces, ignoring the clear and present danger Islamic terrorism presents. Are we to put our trust and safety in the hands of such “leaders?” At the forefront of this effort, perhaps, was the notorious Iran Nuclear Agreement signed by the world super powers, which paved the path for a nuclear Iran, the largest state sponsor of terror. The last few attacks the Obama administration took at Israel on its way out of office surely did not offer much comfort.

But all this has now changed. On November 8, the United States elected a new president, Donald Trump. Trump brings with him a different approach toward Israel. When asked by Sean Hannity last week how important it is to repair the relationship between Israel and America, Trump interrupted him stating, “It’s repaired! It was repaired as soon as I took the oath.” The lack of routine condemnation from the United States of Israel’s announced 2,500 new settlement houses is certainly encouraging. Clearly we have begun a new chapter in American Israeli politics, and commenced a new phase in the process of our ultimate redemption.

While we must remain certain that our only salvation can and will come about through God, we must also pay attention to the direction He is leading us on. If we can reflect on the last 70 years, we will notice the greater picture: how God has brought millions of His people back to Israel and how they have flourished there both spiritually and physically. Trump’s election is certainly another step in our redemption. This can be better explained with the following parable: There was a man who was stuck in his house when a vicious storm ripped through the area. He had faith in God and was confident that He would save him. The man stood on his roof and awaited Divine salvation. A rescue boat came by and called for him to board, but he refused stating that only God would save him. A helicopter came and pleaded for him to climb to safety, which again he refused. Eventually he drowned. When he came up to God he asked, “God, why didn’t you save me?” God answered, “I sent you a boat, then a helicopter, what else could I have done?

God runs every aspect of the world. He orchestrated the election of Donald Trump, a man who is most amicable towards our people and homeland. It behooves us to acknowledge the new direction God is taking us in.

One of the many positive actions that President Trump has already taken is an effort to prevent Islamic terrorist from entering the United States. President Trump campaigned as the “Law and Order Candidate” and is proving true to his word. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (3:2) says, Rabi Chanina Segan Hakohanim would say, daven for the peace of the government (malchus) for if people do not fear the government, each man will swallow his fellow alive. When there is government there is law and order. If there is no peace and no government there is conflict, chaos, terror, and no law and order.

President Trump’s ban on people from countries harboring Islamic terrorist is plain and simple common sense. In light of ISIS’s public declaration that they will infiltrate the refugee population, and our top intelligence officials admitting that there is no vetting process that can properly secure that ISIS will not enter our country through this program, how could anyone allow these people to come in?! We must not misplace compassion where it is does not belong, and certainly not at the risk of innocent people’s lives.

We must continue to pray for the success of the government, and appreciate and embrace the new era and direction God is leading us on.

Rabbi Fuchs learned in Yeshivas Toras Moshe, where he became a close talmid of Rav Michel Shurkin, shlit”a. While he was there he received semicha from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, shlit”a. He then learned in Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, and became a close talmid of Rav Shmuel
Berenbaum, zt”l. Rabbi Fuchs received semicha from the Mirrer Yeshiva as well. After Rav Shmuel’s petira Rabbi Fuchs learned in Bais Hatalmud Kollel for six years. He is currently a Shoel Umaishiv in Yeshivas Beis Meir in Lakewood, and a Torah editor and weekly columnist at The Jewish Press.